Safety pin catch



June 17 1924.

F. E. FARNHAM 1,497,846

SAFETY PIN CATCH Filed Aug. 10. 192! lllllmmlw" mnnlllllll jf 5 Il y l um ggf/@Sg 1 which the parts may beA more easily con- Patented June 1,7, 1924,

UNITED STATES PATENT' OFFICE.

FRANK E. EARNHAM, or PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, Assrenon To THE :rEwELEns SUPPLY COMPANY, `OF BIDDEFORD,

MAINE, A CORPORATION" OF MAINE.

SAFETY :EIN CATCH.

Application led August 10, 1921. Serial No. 491,207.'

Catches, of which the followingfis a specication.

My invention relates to pin-catches for use on brooches, bar-pins and other articles o-f jewelry, and consists of improvements iny the structure and method of manufacture of the same. v

The main object ofthe invention is to provide a pin-catch having a rotatable keeper' for holding the pin-stem inplace in the catch to prevent accidental unfastening of the pin. y y

A particular object of the improvement is to provide amore eiiicient pin-catch which may be economically manufactured from relatively light stock, but which at the same` time will have greater strength and rigidity than ther usual article of this type. f

Another object of the improvement is to provide a device of the type specified in sti-noted and assembled in the manufacturing process, and which may alsobe more easily and conveniently att-ached to the brooch or pin body in applying itto the article of g jewelry. n j

A further object of the improvement is to provide a device which will rest more n firmly on the pieceto which it is to be attached during the operation of soldering it thereto, and which will be securely held in-place by the solder without danger of its parts spreading or opening. l v

Another object of t-he improvement is to provide a device in which the solder will not run away from the joint and tend to clog the operation lof the rota-table keeper which locks the pin in the catch.

Another object of the improvement is to provide a catch in which the ro-tatable keeper has a more extended bearingy contactwhereby it is held against side-play or cramping and-thus prevented from Working loose.

Another object of the improvement is to provide a catch in `which the keeper may be y more conveniently operated to shift it from open to closed position, yor vice versa. A Another object of the improvement is to provide resiliently-operated detent-means e i,497s4iiv for holding the keeper normally in either open or'closed position.

Still further objects of the improvement are` set forth in the following specification which describes a preferred embodiment of the invention as illustrated byy the accompanying drawings. In the drawings: j

Fig. 1 is an enlarged view of my improved pin-catch in side elevation, showing a portion of the body of the brooch to which it is attached and illustrating the end of the pinstem as locked in place in the catch;

Fig. 2, a pia-rt sectional end elevation of the same, showing the keeper in open position; f

Fig. 8, a similar view showing the keeper closed;

Fig. 4, a. sectional view of the catch and keeper taken on the line 4 4 of Fig. 2, looking in the direction indicated by the arrow;

Fig. 5, a plan view of the finished blank from which the catch is'formed; f

Fig. 6, a perspective view of the ykeeper in one of its forms;

Fig. 7, a part sectional view, similar to Fig. 2, illustrating a modied form of the catch with the keeper shown in open position; 'E

Fig. 8, a. similar view of this form `of the device showing the keeper closed; 4

Fig. 9, a vert-ical vsectional view of this form of device taken on the line 9-9 of Fig- 7 v f Fig. l0, a. plan view of the blank` from which this form of catch is constructed;

Fig. 11, a bottom view of the base of this form of catch Fig. 12, a similar view of the base ofthe Fig. 14, a bottom view of the base of they catch shown in Fig. 13.

Referring to the drawings, my improved catch lcomprises essentially a bifurcated catch-member 2 constructed from sheetmetal and bent or folded at the top to provide two opposite legs 3 which are formed with circular depressions or sockets 4 adapted to receive the bearing-truiin'ions 5 of the rotatable keeper 6. In the lembodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 6 the ni'ain catch-,member 2 is constructed fro-in a blank B, seeFig. 5, having aiioutline which provides two circular disk-like portions 7 with a longitudinal pin-slot 8 extending from center to center thereof. The slot 8 is formed with circular ends 9 arranged concentrically of the diskportions which are connected at .thecenterofthe blank by two oppositestrips or tabs 10. Projecting rfrom the outer ends of the disk-portions7 of the blank areextensions 11 :which are hollowed lout to fo-rin substantially bell-shaped baseportions 1 2 terminating in flat edges '14 adapted to be .secured to the back ofthe pin body yor brooch C represented in F ig. 1. The two disk-portions 7 of the blank B .are

cupped out to form the circular recesses which provide the bearing-seats or sockets 4 Vfor the trunnions .5 ofthe keeper6, as later explained. Arranged in opposite relation on the rims of the sockets 4 are rounded teats 17 and 18 projecting outwardly therefrom to provide detent-stops which cooperate with suitable depressions on the side of the keeper A6 to lock the latter in its open and olosedposition in the manner and for the purpose as later more fully explained.

It will be understood that the above described construction of the catch-member 2 is accomplished byfcutting the blank B from sheet-metal andformiiig it in suitable ldies operated in a drop or press.v `The keeper 6,

.see Fig. 6, is likewise blanked out `from sheet-metal and struck up in dies. ingeneral it consists of a main hook-like portion provided with aradial slot 20 corresponding to the pin-slot 8 in the catch-member 2.

Struck up from the sides of the keeper 6 are thecircular trunnions 5 for engaging the sockets 4 o"f the catch-member v2 to adapt the keeper to rotate on the catch. Projecting dianietrically from theopposite sides Vof the 'rim of the keeper 6 aie two lugs or fingerpieces 21, 2.2 which serve as the nieansfor manually rotating the keeper on .thecatch The inger-pieces 21 and 22 are bent at rightangles or offset at 23 to forin shoulders 2,4adapted vto bearagai-nst the rimfof 'the circular portions 7 of the catch-member 2, whereby to serve as an auxiliary bearing for the trunnioiis of the keeper 6 to prevent the latterfroni rocking or cramping laterally of its bearings on rthe catch. n each side ofthe keeper 6 is an arcuate groove 25 arranged concentrically of the trunnions 5, and lat the ends of thegrooves are circular depressions 26 vrand 27 which cooperate with the teats or projections 17 and 18 on the sides of the catch 2 in the manner as later explained.

In assembling the improved form of catch above described the blank B is bent at two v.points klaterally-of the connecting-strips or tabs 10, as represented by the dash-lines a-a and -b in Fig. 5. In this manner the two disk-portions 7 of the blank are folded .into opposite relation, as illustrated in Fig. 1, and the keeper 6 is inserted between the sides 3 of the catch-member 2 with its trunnions 5 seated in the bearing-sockets 4, see Fig. A4. vlVith the parts in this relation the linger-pieces 21 and 22 will project beyond the marginal edges of the circular portions 7 of the catch-ineniber withtheir offset, shouldered portions 24 Vbearing on the riin of the catch. The assembled catch `in this form provides a complete article of Ycommerce known as a jewelry finding, and

12-.on the body'of theI brooch C, as shown in Fig. 1. The enlarged base of the catch, see F igs. 2 and 3, provides a firm support so that the catch is not liable to be tipped over or upset and the extendedbearing of the base on the bodyY C allows for a secure fastening of the catch in place when the solder is lowedto itsjoint. .lVhen attached to the pinor brooch body' in this manner the two sides .3 of thecatch-member 2 .are held rigidly inspaced` relation at 'the top by the bent or folded strips 1.0 which serve as `braces or vrcross-struts therefor; .while the opposite base-portions 12 of the meinber being yboth united to the body Chold the sides rigidly at the bottom. lnthis way a much stiffer Aand stauncher :structure is provided so that the stock from which the catch is constructed may be much thinner and lighter than that usually employed without sacrificing strength.

lV-hen applied tvo use the improved catchV` It will be noted that-Ath@l pin-slot 8 in the sides of the catch is arranged vertically so that it is open at lthe top, which is the pre- -ferred arrangemeiitas providing for greater convenience in seating the pin therein. To lock the pin-stein P inthe catch it is only necessary to press -its point-end down into the slot 8 and to `then turn the keeperI 6' to the position shown in Fig. 3. The Vkeeper .6 is turned on 'the catch by simply pressing down on the 'finger-piece 21. `Wlien the llt) lil

flO

keeper 6 is turned to open position thenger-piece 21 strikes against 'one Voit the crossstrips or tabs which serves as a stop to prevent it from being turned too far, see F ig. 2; and when it is rotated to closed position, see Fig. 3, the other finger-piece 22 strikes against the opposite strip 10 to restrain its movement. `Referring' again to Fig. 2, when the keeper G'is open position the detent-projection'l' is seated in the depression 26 on one sidevof the keeper 6, while the projection 18 on` its other leg is engaged with kthe depression 27 on the opposite side of the keeper; Now, when the keeper 6 is rotated to yits opposite position,

shown in Fig. 3, the projectionsfl? and V18 will ride upout ofthe depressions 2G and 27 and slide in theJ grooves 25 to allow a free turning movement of the keeper. As the keeper reaches its closed vposition the projections 17 and 18 snap into the depressions 28 and 29 and in this manner a spring detent--action is ell'ected which tends to prevent accidental movement of the keeper from either open or closed position. It is also to be observed that the provision ot' the grooves fallowsthe keeper to be turned without undue resistance after its detents have once been" released from the end depressions. InY this way all undue friction and wear on the partsis eliminated so that this feature of construction and improved advancekin t e art.

In Figs. 7 to 10l I have' illustrated another embodiment of the invention in which the catch is constructed in the form of a hook having an undercut side openingv strip or tab 32 or, if desired, a double cross-strip may be employed as inA the lirst described construction. As with the previously described type ot catch, lthe blank B is folded across the connecting'strip 32 at points indicated by the dash-lines a-a and 6 5, and in this manner a bifurcated structure is formed, as shown in Fig. 9. The strip or tab 32 ties together the two sides 3 of the catch at the top, while alsoy bracing them apart; and the two opposite base-portions 33 may be soldered'or` otherwise lirmly united to the body of the brooch C. Referring to Figs. 10`and 11I have here illustrated ammodification in the form of the base of the catch which provides an integral tie or lock for the two sides of the catch at its base. The base of one leg j of the catch is here shown as extended aty either side to form hook-portions 34. As, shown more particularly in Fig. 11, when the sides of the catch have been folded into opposite relation the hook-portions 34 on the leg 33 are bent at right-angles and rovides a. novel f hooked over the edges'of the opposite leg 33 to form a box-like structure which promounted in place on the brooch.

Fig. 12 illustrates a still further modification in the form of the base of the catch in which its sides or legs 35 are provided with downwardly projecting lugs 36 bent `into angular shape with their edges abutvides a firmer support when the catch is i 3 being flanged outwardly at 38 to form an enlarged bottom which rwill give a more extended bearing surfacey for its support while also tendingr to Aprevent the solder from flowing upwardly away from the joint and reaching the bearing for the'keeper.

lith the form of catch illustrated in Figs.'7 to 9 and 13 the keeper 40 is constructed with a single finger-piece 41 which is pushed upwardly to open the catch, as

shown in Fig. 7, and pressed downwardly to close it, see Fig. 8. As herein shown ythe linger-piece 41 is formed asa straight i projection on the side'ot the keeper 40 and is adapted to strike against the upper crossstrip 32 to limit the movement of the keeper ink one direction and to engage the base of the catch to arrest its movement in the opposite direction. In some cases I may form the finger-piece with, a bent or ollset portion, as shown in Fig. 6, andwhen' so con-y structed its shoulder will ride on the rim 'of the catch to steady its bearing in theesockets 4, whilepyalso acting as a stop when it strikes against the edge ofthe base-portion of the leg of the' catch.r

It will be observed from the foregoing de- Y scription that my invention provides an eX- tremely simple yet strong and rigid pincatch which may be more securely Jfastened to the brooch or other article of jewelry, and whichy is more convenient to operate and more durable in use. The main catch-- 'member has its opposite sidestied together and braced at the top by one or more crossstrips or struts so that when it is temporarily held together at the bottom by a suitable 'tool it may be more easily soldered in Vpiece on which it is used.

rially cheapening the cost yof manufacture ,When it is constructed vfrom precious metal. Though much lighter in Weight and more compact in size than ,the usual .device of this type of article it will take a larger 4pinstem and is therefore adapted for'a Wider range of use.

In operation my improved catch is `more conveniently opened andclosed by a .slight pressure of the fingers, yet nevertheless it locks the pin securely in place through the automatic ope-ration of the improved detentmeans which controls the action .of the keeper.

VVhileI have herein shown and described my improved catch in a preferred embodinient it is to be understood that .further modifications may be made in the form and structure of its parts Without departing n from the spirit or .scope off the invention;

therefore, Withoutl limiting myself as to the exact construction as herein disclosed, I

. claim l. A safety-catch for pins, bronches or the like comprising a bifurcated catch-,member having opposite parallel legs adapted to-be attached at the `base Yto the .body Of :the brooch and provided with a slot for receiving the pin-stein, a cross-strut integral with both legs of the catchfmember and connecting its sides at a point relatively distant from its base, and a keeper rotatable between the sides of the catch-member and adapted to close the opening ofthe pinslot tolock the pintherein.

2. A safety-catch for pins, brooches or the zlike comprising a bifurcated catch-member having opposite sides adapted tobe attached fat the'baseto the body .of the brooch and `formed with a radial pin-slot and circular bearings, a cross-strut integral with both legs of the catch-member and connecting-the sides of the member adjacent its top, and a slotted keeper seated in the bearings -cn .the sides of the catch-member to adapt it to be rotated .to close the opening o-f the pin-slot.

3. As a new article of manufacture, a safety .pin-catch comprising a bifurcated sheet-metal catch-member having opposite parallel sides adapted to be attached at the base to the body of a brooch ori the like, said sides connected at thetopby a vfolded strip y or the like, said sides connected atthe top by a .cross-strut cOnStruCtediHtegral with both legs y ofthe catch-member, said member hav- 1ing .means adapted to be locked in'engagetment to secure its sides together at `the base, said ,catch-member vformed with a pin-slot for receivingthe'pin-stern, and a keeper ,ro- ,tatably mounted lbetween the sides of the catch-.member and having an opening registering with th-e pin-slot therein.

A5. In a device vof the typezspecifie'd, the ,combination of a bifurcated catch-member ,having opposite circular side-portions yr'vhich are slotted to providel a seat for the Vpinstern, a keeper rotatably mounted betiveen kthe sidesof said member and formed With yan opening registeringwith the slots therein, said keeper prcvided with a finger-piece projecting outwardly beyond the rim of the rcatch-memb er and `formed with a shoulder adapted to bear ontlle circular edge thereof to steady the movement of the keeper in its bearings. l Y

6. In a device Off 4thetype specified, the combination of a bifurcated catch-member having opposite parallel sides adapted toi-be attached at the .base t0 the body vof a brooch or the like and proif'ided `with aslot for the ysides of said member. and:` pirovidedwith an opening adapted y.to register withthe pln- `slot, a detent-projection on one of said members adapted to slide in an arcuate groove on the .other .member, and depressions at the .ends oflsaid groove into which the projection snaps to hold the keeper in open or closed position.

7. In a device of the type specified, the combination of a` bifurca'ted catch-member having opposite parallel sidesadapted to be attached at-thebase tothe body of a brooch ort-he like, saidsides connected yby an integral cross-strut atthe top and provided with a slot for receiving the ,pin-stem, the Vbase of said catch-memberbeing Aadapted to seat against the back of the piece t0 Which it is attachedV and provided with lugs for insertionthrough an opening therein, and a keeper [rotatably mounted between the sides ,of the catch-member and provided Wit-h an opening adapted `to register Withthe pin-slot therein.

8. In a device of the typel specified, the combination of av bifurcated catch-member havingopposite parallelsides adapted t0 be pin-stem, a keeper rotatable between theV attached at the base to the body of a, brooch or the like, said sides connected at the top by a cross-strut made integral with both legs of the catch-member and provided with a slot for receiving the prin-stem, the base of said Catch-member beingr flanged outwardly to provide an enlarged flat seat adapted to seat against the piece to wliieli it is attached., and a keeper rotatably mounted between the sides of the catch-member 'and provided 10 with an opening adapted to register with the pin-slot therein.

In testimony whereof I affix inv signature,

' FRANK E. FARNHAM. 

